Railway - Blogs - Tripatini2024-03-29T11:05:56Zhttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/feed/tag/RailwayIn the USA this Fall, Combine Foliage With Adventurehttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/united-states-usa-autumn-fall-foliage-adventure-travel2020-09-11T17:30:00.000Z2020-09-11T17:30:00.000ZVictor Blockhttps://tripatini.com/members/VictorBlock124<div><p> <a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009481095,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009481095,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" alt="9009481095?profile=original" /></a></p><p></p><p>Dan and Mary Stroudt oooh and aaah at the multicolored scenery below the hot air balloon in which they’re riding. The journey is very different for Mark and Marylee Sutherland as they help to paddle a rubber raft along a stretch of whitewater in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Betsy Goodman and Tom Cross are traveling at a slower pace, strolling across a glass-bottom observation deck.<br /> <br /> These disparate experiences may seem to have little in common, but they do. They provide opportunities to enjoy the annual fall foliage display of color in new and different ways.</p><p>“Leaf peepers” seeking to relish Mother Nature’s annual technicolor extravaganza have a variety of choices beyond driving along a traffic-clogged road. There are countless places around the United States to enjoy the changing foliage, and imaginative ways of doing so.<br /> <br /> The ride that the Stroudts enjoyed is offered by aptly named <a href="http://www.goneballooning.com" target="_blank">Gone Ballooning</a>. It conducts gentle float trips over the colorful rolling landscape of western Connecticut with vistas that take in unique barns, graceful colonial homes and other vestiges of New England history. Flights are followed by the traditional toast of champagne and snacks.</p><p></p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009481285,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009481285,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" width="750" alt="9009481285?profile=original" /></a><br /> <br /> Mark and Marylee Sutherland have to work harder for their fall foliage fix. They’re participants in one of the whitewater rafting adventures (above and top) operated by the <a href="http://www.noc.com" target="_blank">Nantahala Outdoor Center</a> in North and South Carolina and Georgia. The rivers thread their way through the yellows, reds and oranges of the changing foliage that blankets the shorelines.</p><p>Rather than passing through the autumn color, Betsy and Tom chose to walk above it. When it was built in 1882, the Kinzua Railroad Viaduct in Pennsylvania was the longest and highest such structure in the world. After the last trains crossed it in 1959, it was reinvented as the <a href="http://www.visitanf.com" target="_blank">Kinzua Sky Walk</a>, where a glass-bottom observation deck provides views of the support towers and the foliage below and around them. </p><p>Trains of the <a href="http://www.thecog.com" target="_blank">Mount Washington Cog Railway</a> continue to carry passengers to the highest peak in the Northeast, as they have since 1869. After climbing grades that approach a 38-percent incline, riders are rewarded with panoramic views over the majestic White Mountains of New Hampshire and, if they’re lucky, sightings of moose and bears.</p><p>The slow pace of the cog railway is a far cry from the adrenalin-boosting ride on the Runaway Mountain Coaster at Mountain Adventure Park in <a href="http://www.explorebranson.com" target="_blank">Branson, Missouri</a>. As the track dips, turns and corkscrews through Ozark woodlands, riders may choose to pass by the foliage at speeds over 30 miles an hour or use the brake to slow the descent for a more leisurely look. </p><p><br /> Other Branson foliage-watching opportunities include thrill rides like the “Outlaw Run” and chill trips aboard the Frisco Silver Dollar Line Steam Train. An added fall bonus at Silver Dollar City is a seasonal array of pumpkins of all shapes, sizes and colors that are scattered about the park. </p><p></p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009481684,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009481684,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" width="750" alt="9009481684?profile=original" /></a></p><p>An experience which combines both thrills and chills <a href="http://www.aspenparagliding.com" target="_blank">is paragliding over the multihued Aspen and Snowmass mountains</a> in Colorado. Tandem gliders carry pilot and passenger several thousand feet high for a gentle ride and bird’s-eye view of the vibrant display on the ground below. While flights may vary depending upon the conditions each day, the experience usually lasts about two hours.</p><p></p><p></p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009482485,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009482485,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" width="750" alt="9009482485?profile=original" /></a><br /> Those who rely on pedal power to enjoy fall foliage also have options. <a href="http://www.backroads.com" target="_blank">Backroads</a> offers bicycle trips through Yellowstone National Park and the Tetons mountain range, and plans to schedule fall foliage rides as areas and cities open for tourism.</p><p></p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009482862,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009482862,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" width="750" alt="9009482862?profile=original" /><br /></a></p><p>Meanwhile, The fall foliage biking tours operated by <a href="http://www.greatfreedomadventures.com" target="_blank">Great Freedom Adventures</a> in Vermont and New York’s Hudson Valley include lodging, meals, bicycles and other features. Side excursions can range from mansion tours and wine tastings to kayaking and sunset sails.</p><p></p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009483260,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009483260,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" width="750" alt="9009483260?profile=original" /></a></p><p></p><p>Folks who prefer to take in fall foliage from the deck of a ship may wish to check out the Hudson River voyages of <a href="http://www.americancruiselines.com" target="_blank">American Cruise Lines</a>. The eight-day sailings, round-trip from New York City, pass the color-clad Catskill Mountains on one shoreline and the Taconic and Berkshire Hills on the other. Towns along the route date back to English and Dutch colonization, and passengers alight for guided tours of grand mansions and historic sites.</p><p></p><p>This provides an introduction to, but hardly a complete list of, some alternative ways to enjoy the seasonal change of color. At this time of uncertain travel arrangements, it’s best to check ahead to make sure your preferred mode will be available.<br /> <br /> Happy adventurous leaf peeping!</p><p></p></div>Top Heritage Trains in Indian Railwayshttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/top-heritage-trains-in-indian-railways2020-07-15T07:04:07.000Z2020-07-15T07:04:07.000ZEva Marishttps://tripatini.com/members/EvaMaris<div><p>Want to get rid of the heat, hustle and bustle of India? Take a train to the hillside resorts of Shimla, Darjeeling and other areas: this is a slow and spectacular journey to show you India, which you have never seen...</p><p>The <a href="https://www.orientrailjourneys.com/blog/heritage-trains-in-india/" target="_blank">Heritage railway in India</a> is the best example of a bold and ingenious engineering solution to create effective railway connection problems through saki, mountainous terrain. These railway lines were built in the British era and are now excellent tourist destinations.</p></div>History of Rail Transport in Indiahttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/history-of-rail-transport-in-india2020-06-16T06:59:30.000Z2020-06-16T06:59:30.000ZEva Marishttps://tripatini.com/members/EvaMaris<div><p>India's railway is the largest railway network in Asia, and, the world's second largest railway network. It has a huge labor force of about 1.65 million and runs about 11,000 trains daily, including 7,000 passenger trains.</p><p>Most premium passenger trains (such as Rajdhani Express and Shatabdi Express) have a top speed of 140-150 km/h (87-93 mph), while Gatiman Express high speed train run between New Delhi and Jhansi has reached 160 km/h (99 mph). Indian Railways also operates a locally built semi-high-speed train called Vande Bharat (also known as Train-18).</p><p><strong>Check out : <a href="https://www.orientrailjourneys.com/blog/history-of-indian-railways/" target="_blank">History of Railway Transport in India</a></strong></p></div>Getting to Machu Picchuhttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/travelling-to-machu-picchu-peru2018-01-23T14:12:05.000Z2018-01-23T14:12:05.000ZKeith Kelletthttps://tripatini.com/members/KeithKellett<div><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009224501,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009224501,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="640" class="align-center" alt="9009224501?profile=original" /></a></p><p></p><p>Many words have been written about the ruined Inca city of Machu Picchu, and I can’t think of anything to say about it that hasn’t been said many times already. So I shall content myself with a few words on how to get there, to see for yourself.<br /></p><p>There are several train services, from both Cuzco and Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, the nearest rail station to Machu Picchu. There’s the luxurious Hiram Bingham train, which is rated among the "great train rides of the world", and is, I believe, classified as "if you need to ask how much, you can’t afford it". Lower down the scale is the Inca Express, which is favoured by local people, and those on a budget, who would rather spend their money on something else. In between is the Vistadome, which we rode. It’s comfortable, with large windows … and travels along the same track as the Hiram Bingham, so you see pretty much the same thing. And, we did get fed … something between a snack and a full meal.</p><p></p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009224086,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009224086,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="640" class="align-center" alt="9009224086?profile=original" /></a></p><p></p><p>I did cast a covetous eye on the colourful, traditionally crafted table runners … but they collected them up as soon as the meal was finished.</p><p></p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9296633873,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9296633873,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="640" class="align-center" alt="9296633873?profile=original" /></a></p><p></p><p>You can, of course, walk! However, you need to book, for numbers on the Inca Trail are restricted, and it isn’t open all the time. Twenty years ago, I might have been up for it. We’d seen video from one of the port lecturers on a cruise, and it didn’t look much more strenuous than the Pennine Way - though with the added bonus that there were porters to carry the heavy gear, and pitch camp and cook. But whether the service is available to everyone, or just to visiting video crews, he didn’t say.</p><p></p><p>When you arrive at Aguas Calientes - also sometimes known as Pueblo Machu Picchu - it’s a short walk to the bus station … right through a colourful artisan market! The Peruvians certainly don’t miss a trick, for their craft stalls are to be found just about anywhere tourists gather, and most of it is quality stuff. I’d advise don’t buy anything till you return, because, if you do, you’re bound to spot something you like better on the next stall.</p><p></p><p>And, besides, the bus is waiting to take you up the mountain to the monument. Do you really want to haul all that stuff around the ruined city?</p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009224288,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009224288,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="640" class="align-center" alt="9009224288?profile=original" /></a></p><p> </p><p> </p></div>An 'Italian' Village in North Waleshttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/an-italian-village-in-north-wales2017-05-12T16:57:47.000Z2017-05-12T16:57:47.000ZKeith Kelletthttps://tripatini.com/members/KeithKellett<div><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9296623862,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9296623862,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="640" class="align-center" alt="9296623862?profile=original" /></a></p><p style="text-align:center;"></p><p style="text-align:center;"><i>‘Portmeirion is a gorgeous visual poem that will melt the hardest heart’</i> <br /> - <em><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Rough Guide Wales</span></em></p><p style="text-align:center;"></p><p>A lot of people remark that Portmeirion, a private village on the coast of North Wales, reminds them of Portofino, in Italy. It does, in a way, but really, it has a charm of its own. Even the architect, Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, always repeatedly denied claims that his layout was based on that village. I think I once read somewhere that he claimed he’d never been there.</p><p></p><p>Williams-Ellis (1883-1978) was concerned with preservation and conservation, as well as sympathetic development. In the 1920s, he acquired some land near Porthmadog, and set out to prove that development of a beautiful site did not necessarily mean it was spoilt.</p><p></p><p>Some of the buildings were already on site when Williams-Ellis bought the land; others came from elsewhere; sometimes, saved from demolition and re-assembled here. Williams-Ellis himself thought of Portmeirion as a ‘home for fallen buildings’.</p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009148101,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009148101,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="640" class="align-center" alt="9009148101?profile=original" /></a></p><p></p><p>The architecture certainly suggests just about any town or village on the Italian Riviera. There are similar colours; bold and brash in some places; a pleasing pastel in others. There’s even an Italian style campanile.</p><p></p><p>But, there’s something other-worldly about the place, too; it’s almost as if, having paid your entrance fee at the gate, you stepped into a sort of alternate reality. You can, in fact, enter that alternate reality in nearby Porthmadog. The quaint little narrow-gauge Ffestiniog Railway will convey you over the embankment across the estuary of the Glaslyn River to Minffordd station, from where it’s a walk of about 1½ miles to the village entrance. The train might even be hauled by one of the railway’s famous ‘double-ended’ Fairlie steam locomotives.</p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009148688,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009148688,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="640" class="align-center" alt="9009148688?profile=original" /></a></p><p> </p><p>There’s a lot more to do here than just wander round and look, although that is a satisfactory experience in itself.. There’s a pottery, cafés, a spa, restaurants … you can even stay at one the two hotels or the 14 self-catering cottages here. You can even get married here. And, of course, there are shops, selling everything from books to ‘Prisoner’ memorabilia.</p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009148886,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009148886,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="640" class="align-center" alt="9009148886?profile=original" /></a></p><p></p><p><i>The Prisoner</i> was a TV series filmed here in 1967. The viewing audience was, I think, hooked by the setting rather than the plot. And, probably to whet the appetite of the viewer, Williams-Ellis stipulated that the location should not be disclosed until the credits rolled on the last episode.</p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009149097,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009149097,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="640" class="align-center" alt="9009149097?profile=original" /></a></p><p></p><p>The series gained a cult following, and, every year, ‘Festival No 6’ (‘No 6’ was the hero of the series, played by the late Patrick McGoohan) for the show’s <i>affictionados</i> is held here. And, if your visit happens to coincide with this festival … that will really increase the ‘other world’ experience.</p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009149277,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009149277,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="640" class="align-center" alt="9009149277?profile=original" /></a></p></div>From Bohinj ( Slovenia ) to Gorizia ( Italia )https://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/from-bohinj-slovenia-to2011-02-17T20:00:00.000Z2011-02-17T20:00:00.000ZBohinj apartmenthttps://tripatini.com/members/Bohinjapartment<div>From <strong>Bohinj</strong> (<em>Bohinjska Bistrica</em>) with the <strong>train</strong> through <br /><strong>Bohinj tunnel</strong> (<em>6327m</em>) and then in the<br />valley of river Bača and Soča till Nova Gorica.<br /><br />Town <strong>Nova Gorica</strong> originated after the demarcation<br />in <strong>1947</strong> and the slovenian - Italian <strong>border</strong> is only <strong>38 m</strong> <br />from railway station in Nova Gorica. <br /><br />After 2004 there is by railway station new common square with mosaic<br />of <strong>Nova Gorica and Gorizia (Gorica)</strong> - So this is<br /><strong>two towns and one square</strong>.<br /><br />In Gorizia you can see the <strong>castle</strong> , church of s. Ignazio on<br />Vittoria square , palaces , public parks , ...<br /><em>From railway station in Gorizia go train towards Venice too</em>.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>--->></strong></span> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_bI4YWz3-w" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_bI4YWz3-w</a><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>